Libby's Leadership Lab

Libby chats with applied behavioral scientist, leadership development expert, and the CEO of HUMiN Inclusion Partners, Mitch Shepard. Mitch has been working with diverse people from various walks of life for the past 25 years, beginning with nearly a decade spent leading people on wilderness expeditions, guiding teams to achieve extraordinarily challenging goals despite often unpredictable environments and ever-changing landscapes. In 2015 Mitch expanded her reach and impact by curating a diverse and extraordinary team of coaches, trainers, consultants, and DEI experts. HUMiN is known for its creative, pragmatic, actionable, and measurable approach to building the habits and behaviors of inclusion, at every level.   Libby and Mitch discuss: Her unique path and everything living off grid and experiencing different cultures taught her about diversity The depth and importance of diversity in the workplace  What it means to be diversity and cultural intelligent Measuring manager effectiveness and inclusive leadership  Why real change requires long term learning and long term practice How inclusion drives innovation And much more   HUMiN Inclusion Partners has become a trusted voice in the ever-growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company doesn't only focus on the hottest topics—race, and gender—but incorporates other spectrums of diversity as well. From unleashing the best in introverts & extroverts to understanding and communicating effectively across cultures, navigating generations at work, leveraging neurodiversity and more.  Mitch lives in Seattle WA, with her husband and two children.    Connect with Mitch: https://www.mitchshepard.com/ https://humininc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchshepard

This week Libby is chatting with chairman and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company, Garry Ridge. Garry is responsible for developing and implementing high-level strategies, all operations, and the oversight of all relationships and partnerships for the company and he is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company. His vision and leadership have positively impacted the company in both measurable and immeasurable ways. Libby and Garry discuss: How studying and understanding tribes helped him to lead an engaged and productive company Why pleasure makes perfection at work The traits of a soul-sucking CEO and how to fix toxic cultures in the workplace Communication and leadership differences between men and women The importance of being both a leader and a teacher Moving from a fixed to a growth mindset through learning moments Garry joined WD-40 Company in 1987 and has held various management positions in the company, including executive vice president and chief operating officer, and vice president of international. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.    Connect with Garry: https://thelearningmoment.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge https://twitter.com/learningmoment

Libby sits down with Dr. Alison Horstmeyer, a leading-edge talent development consultant, executive coach, and humanistic researcher. Alison is considered one of the pioneering practitioners in workplace curiosity and her research focuses on the associated mental, emotional, and motivational attributes. Through Intrinsic Curiosity, Alison partners and works with executives across a diverse set of industry sectors with an emphasis in Technology, Media, and Healthcare; and, has a knack for connecting and working with cross-generational teams and leaders through her unique blend of real-world business acumen and evidence-based practitioner expertise.    Liby and Dr. Alison discuss: What it means to be intrinsically curiosity  How to build your stress tolerance The three C's: Curiosity, communication, collaboration The need for establishing new ways of interacting and connecting with each other in a rapidly changing world The need to find tools that work for you and making space for reflection Challenging aspects of getting a team to gel And more   Alison regularly works with clients focused on multi-faceted leadership, healthy team dynamics, and continuous innovation. Alison has worked with many organizations including Hulu, Verizon Media, Marvell Technology, TransDigm Group, Vanguard, Stanford Health Care, among others. She believes we each are innately curious, we just tend to stifle it away.   Connect with Alison: https://www.dralisonh.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralisonhorstmeyer

Libby is joined by the CEO and founder of Excellent Executive Coaching LLC, Dr. Katrina Burrus. Dr. Katrina is known for "fast-tracking leaders to the C-Suite and Beyond" and for "Transforming Brilliant Jerks into Inspiring Leaders." Clients often comment that working with Katrina enlightens leaders to empower co-workers to walk the extra mile. She is a keynote speaker and published, “Managing Brilliant Jerks" and, "Global Leadership" a body of work used by Nestle, Novartis, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the United Nations, and many more.   Libby and Dr. Katrina discuss: What it means to be a brilliant jerk The costs of having a brilliant jerk in your organization Calling out brilliant jerk mentality and understanding cultural behaviors Transforming brilliant jerks into inspiring leaders How to become a thought leader within an organization Distinguishing the difference between brilliant jerks and demanding leaders Avoiding uncivilized behavior in an organization   Dr. Burrus has 18 years of experience as the first Master Certified Coach and Founding Board Member from the (ICF) International Coaching Federation in Switzerland.   Connect with Dr. Katrina Burrus: www.excellentexecutivecoaching.com www.instagram.com/drkatrinaburrus www.facebook.com/katrina.burrus

Libby sits down with the best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and business strategist Ron Carucci. Ron has a thirty-year track record helping executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization, and leadership — from start-ups to Fortune 10s, nonprofits to heads-of-state, turn-arounds to new markets and strategies, overhauling leadership and culture to re-designing for growth. Ron's experience spans over 25 countries where he helps organizations articulate strategies that lead to accelerated growth, and then designs programs to execute those strategies.    Libby and Ron discuss: The definition of honesty and how it's changed over the last several decades Earning trust in the workplace and its importance in success The four predictable factors under which leaders will tell the truth How to know if your leadership skills suck Trends among male and female leaders Why diverse leadership teams perform better than those with less diversity Generational differences in the workplace How to get outside of your own echo chambers And more   Ron has authored eight books including his most recent, To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice and Purpose. He is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, where Navalent's work on leadership was named one of 2016's management ideas that mattered most. Ron is proud to be a member of the Marshall Goldsmith MG100 coaches community. His work's been featured in Fortune, CEO Magazine, Inc., BusinessInsider, MSNBC, Business Week, and Smart Business.   Connect with Ron: https://www.navalent.com/ https://tobehonest.net/ Watch Moments of Truth with Ron Carucci Buy To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice and Purpose by Ron Carucci

Perry Marshall joins Libby in the leadership lab for the second time to discuss his new book, Memos from the Head Office: Channeling the Muse in Business and in Life. Perry shares an experience he had where someone shared with him a message from God that ultimately led to new business ventures and the writing of this book. The overarching theme that he wants everyone to know is that each and every one of us are all capable of creating a better life for ourselves whether that be through resolving conflicts, experiencing breakthroughs, and more, regardless of your background (social, religious, etc.).   Libby and Perry discuss: Why it's important to stay open to opportunities Why many people with a strong prophetic ear come from troubled homes/backgrounds Paying attention to and tuning into our intuition  Being compatible with your own convictions The single best habit one can cultivate Creating before consuming And much more   You don't need to hustle harder, raise your IQ, or earn an MBA to solve your most pressing problems. The lines of communication are open if you're willing to listen. Memos from the Head Office shows you how to resolve impossible conflicts, access new breakthroughs, navigate jagged situations, and reveal hidden insights.   Memos from the Head Office: Channeling the Muse in Business and in Life by Perry Marshall  and John Fancher    Connect with Perry: https://www.perrymarshall.com/ www.perrymarshall.com/memos

This week, Libby is joined by executive coach Angie Morgan. Angie and her business partner Courtney are executive coaches who work with high-performing leaders to help them achieve next-level results. After their service in the Marine Corps, Angie and Courtney co-created the leadership development firm Lead Star and co-wrote the New York Times best-selling books SPARK and Leading from the Front.    Libby and Angie discuss: Where Angie learned to lead and the experiences that shaped her as a leader Being influential and inspirational  Why leaders aren't born and anyone can develop leadership skills The importance of having self-awareness when it comes to leadership Common misconceptions surrounding leadership The concept of risk taking as a pathway to reward Choosing your hard and giving gratitude   Angie and her business partner have helped high achievers around the world unlock their true potential through one-on-one coaching, keynote addresses, and corporate leadership programs. Their third book, Bet on You: How Leaders Win with Risk, will be out in spring 2022.  Connect with Angie: www.leadstar.us www.sparkslead.us https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-judge-morgan https://instagram.com/lead.star https://twitter.com/leadstar https://www.facebook.com/LeadStar

Libby is joined by professor of management and Silberman Global Faculty Fellow at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Scott Behson, Ph.D. Scott is a national expert in work and family issues as well as a best-selling author and professional speaker and is dishing all on how to succeed at work and what it means to be a whole person workplace.   Libby and Scott discuss: Why work and life aren't separate but actually intertwined Valuing employees beyond their work The characteristics of a whole person workplace and how to perpetuate them The challenges employees face and how to combat challenges How to be a ‘whole person' manager or leader Victim mentality in the workplace and how to step out of it   Dr. Behson has also published over 30 academic journal articles and book chapters, presented at more than 50 times national and international conferences, and won multiple awards for his teaching, research and service to students. He has written for Harvard Business Review, TIME, Fast Company, Success, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. He frequently appears in media, including CBS, MSNBC, NPR, Fox News, and Bloomberg Radio.   Connect with Scott: https://www.scottbehson.com/ https://www.twitter.com/ScottBehson https://youtube.com/c/ScottBehson https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbehson/   The Whole-Person Workplace: Building Better Workplaces through Work-Life, Wellness, and Employee Support by Scott Behson   The Working Dad's Survival Guide: How to Succeed at Work and at Home by Scott Behson

This week, Libby is joined by Zach Giglio. Zach and his wife Emma have had the fortunate experience of traveling and living around the world and have seen the positive impacts that human connections have made on their lives and the lives of the people around them. Now, with more than 15 years of combined experience, work to facilitate those human connections for organizations through their expertise in communications and marketing through their company, Giglio Communications and Marketing (GCM). Libby and Zach spend their time chatting about creating a brand story and identity that aligns with your values, personality, and more.    They share in: What it means to “do good and do well” Where Zach sees gaps or disconnects within the communication space Organizational identity Being thoughtful with how you integrate products and services as a business owner How to find your own brand identity The importance and difference between personal brand identity and business brand identity Storytelling Difference in communication between men and women And much more!   For their clients, GCM crafts and executes comprehensive communications and marketing strategies, including crisis communications, manages companies' social media accounts and runs messaging and business identity workshops.   Connect with Zach: https://www.whoisgcm.com/ https://www.instagram.com/whoisgcm/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/whoisgcm

This week, Libby is joined by the Authors of Work Made Fun Gets Done!, Dr. Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo. Bob Nelson, Ph.D., is the president of Nelson Motivation Inc., the world's leading authority on employee recognition and engagement and Mario is a principal with Tamayo Group Inc., a no-nonsense consulting firm specializing in leadership and organizational performance. Their combined expertise and results have a direct correlation to fun and its important role when it comes to success in the workplace.    With Libby, they discuss: Why having fun is critical when it comes to success How to analyze and gauge fun in your own workplace How to influence others to get on board with fun The many definitions of fun Why high performing companies tend to have the most fun And more!   Interested in having fun and getting work done? Email Libby at Libby@LibbyGill.com to learn more about the Writers Sprint Membership!   Connect with Dr. Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo: Work Made Fun Gets Done https://drbobnelson.com/ https://tamayogroup.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbobnelson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-tamayo-809b7791/

As our careers and lives naturally evolve, we often bring things - habits, lessons, thoughts with us to our present reality. In the case of today's episode, David Wheatley was able to take the experience from his many years as a former Scotland Yard police officer into his entrepreneurial career as a Leadership Coach. David works with leaders who are engaged in transitions to new roles, new scope or improved results. An expert facilitator, trainer and coach, he has worked for twenty years with government, manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, technology and financial institutions, David challenges his mentee's and clients thinking to push them ahead. He supports organizations through strategic planning and helps them overcome roadblocks using a framework of values-based commitment and stakeholder mapping.   Libby and David discuss:  Why leadership is more so about the choices you make and not so much the title Why there's a lack of trust in leaders today and how to change that The necessity of mutual understanding when it comes to good leadership What green path choices are The self and greater good continuum What makes a good team in the working environment The importance of understanding what motivates people   David is the co-author of 50 DOs for Everyday Leadership Lessons Learned the Hard Way (So You Don't Have To) and What Great Teams Do Great: How Ordinary People Accomplish the Extraordinary. In his spare time, David plays soccer and the guitar, both badly, in his opinion. He lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his partner Launda and four children nearby. David and    Connect with David: https://humanergy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/humanergy https://www.linkedin.com/in/humanergy/ Humanergy Leadership Podcast What Great Teams Do Great: How Ordinary People Accomplish the Extraordinary by David Wheatley

In this episode, Libby speaks with mission driven consultant and business owner, Christine Woodward. Christine shares all about the importance of confidence when it comes to leadership and how she helps other business owners to grow beyond their comfort zones. Through her consultancy agency, 19th & Co., Christine's focus is less about services and more about the partnership they deliver to their clients that helps unearth each need and pushes each clients' dreams over the finish line, over and over again. At 19th & Co their name is their mission - to remind the world that it was the 19th amendment that solidified the efforts of the amazing women who fought for women's rights. To further her mission of empowering women, her consultancy, 19th&CO launched The JuDi Project - a mission-driven training program for women to level up in their confidence.    Libby and Christine discuss:  Christine's background in architecture and design and how it plays a role into her coaching and consulting business Why women have been set back four years in the workplace How she guides her clients and helps them strategize without giving them ‘homework' The importance of finding and amplifying female voices The energy that can come from allowing yourself to do something you've always wanted to do or dreamed of Knowing the difference between humility and bragging (and why women need to be humble bragging more often) Redefining and reimagining how women treat each other   Confidence is a skill that each of us deserves and are capable of having. We simply need the tools to acquire it. Christine strikes the perfect balance of design-thinking with action-biased methods from her 15 years in advertising in New York and designing spaces as an architect and interior designer for some of the world's most luxurious brands. She holds a masters in Architecture, studies in management at Harvard, and is an MBA candidate at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She lives in California and spends her free time with her husband and two kids.   Connect with Christine: https://19thandco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/19thandco https://www.instagram.com/19thandco/   Resources Mentioned: Wolfpack by Abby Wambach

This week Libby is joined by best-selling author and CEO of organization training and development firm Tiana Sanchez International, Tiana Sanchez. For over 17 years, Tiana has served innovative companies across the U.S. and has delivered keynote presentations to top leaders in Corporate and Higher Education. Since 2012 she has delivered engaging presentations on topics like the UPside of Failure and The Future of LeadHERship to largely diverse audiences across the U.S. with a core message on resiliency and equality.  Tiana and Libby discuss: Tiana's early start in business and what she learned from working at Hot Dog on a Stick The intersection of excitement and uncertainty Understanding internal blockers and builders Inaction, distraction, lack of direction The beauty in being able to determine your own destiny (and why everyone is capable of doing so) Growth vs. fixed mindset How micro learning can lead to macro impact And much more!  Tiana was a recipient of the 2018 “Woman of Distinction” award for promoting equity for women and girls everywhere. In her spare time, she is the curator and host of a global podcast, Like a REAL Boss, that has inspired thousands of listeners in over 70 countries!   Connect with Tiana: https://nolimit2yoursuccess.com Podcast: https://nolimit2yoursuccess.com/podcast/  Books: https://nolimit2yoursuccess.com/books/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianasanchez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likearealbosslady/

Libby is joined by presenter, teacher, and group synergy builder Margaret Watts Romney. Margaret has been speaking, navigating communication blocks, and discovering better ways for her clients to lead, connect, and express themselves for 25 years. She is the founder of MasterSpeaker Lab, a group that transforms young workers into well-spoken professionals, and seasoned professionals into inspiring leaders on stage or screen, in groups, or in conversations.    Libby and Margaret discuss: What a sudden leader is Leadership versus sudden leadership Why speakership is leadership The five different types of speakers How to know what kind of speaker you need for an occasion The power of storytelling How to get to the next level of leadership   Backed by her work in the Masters in Strategic Communication program at Westminster College and training with the NeuroLeadership Institute, Margaret's coaching style is defined by her standards of wisdom, generosity, and joy. Her clients value her safe spaces, stimulating questions, firm nudging, and quick laughter. Margaret spends her free time with meditation, podcasts, tea, hiking the paths of Boulder, CO, and reveling in her three grown daughters' marvelous lives.   Connect with Margaret: https://margaretwattsromney.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretwattsromney/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/40738220 https://masterspeakerlab.com/ The Speakership Quiz

This week, Libby is joined by Juli Geske-Peer. Juli is the founder and president of Peer Performance Solutions, a company focused on enhancing individual and organizational performance. Her particular expertise is on facilitating exceptional leadership and relationship skills. With a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and over 20 years of successful consulting and management experience, Juli works with companies ranging from local nonprofits to multinational organizations. They discuss what it means to be a relationship practitioner and how to leverage and improve the quality of relationships in the workplace.    Libby and Juli share on: Challenges that Juli frequently sees when people are trying to increase the quality and/or quantity of relationships Relationships building for introverts vs extroverts The best ways to establish trust Juli's five sense approach How to improve/work on a relationship that may not be going as well as hoped Relationship building in the workplace And much more!    Since beginning her career as a self-employed consultant, coach, and trainer in 2014, Juli has helped dozens of individuals and organizations enhance leadership, repair damaged relationships, find common ground, and achieve success through interpersonal improvement and financial gains.   Connect with Juli: https://peerperformancesolutions.com/ https://juligeskepeer.com/ Order 5 Senses for Success: Strategies to Thrive in Any Arena by Juli Geske-Peer Free 45-minute coaching session with Juli: email juli@peerperformancesolutions.com

In this episode, Libby discusses going lean with Crista Grasso. Crista is on a mission to help entrepreneurs simplify success, get off the hustle hamster wheel, and run lean businesses where they optimize what's working and eliminate anything not adding value to their clients and profit to their business. Early in her entrepreneurial journey, Crista felt like she was doing all the right things but no matter how hard she worked, her big goals and vision seemed just out of reach. Upon reflection, she realized her jewelry business was far from lean. She had scaled it way too quickly, and without having taken the time to lean out the business first, she ended up scaling noise which resulted in making everything more expensive, more difficult to manage, and more difficult to sustain. From the outside, it looked like the business was wildly successful but it wasn't until she actually leaned out the business that the behind-the-scenes matched the outside illusion of success. This brought about the realization that so many big businesses were implementing a lean and agile way of working but so many small businesses had never heard of it. There was a whole world that they weren't leveraging, and sadly neither was she before this epiphany. So she created the Lean Out Method (LOM), which she designed specifically with the busy entrepreneur in mind to utilize the same principles and practices that large companies had been using for decades to significantly scale beyond their competitors, skyrocket profits, and reduce complexities and overhead.   Libby and Crista discuss: What the Lean Out Method is Why you should be utilizing lean practices no matter what size your business is Lean vs luxe, and how to be both The importance and necessity of measuring Why you have to be practicing lean if you want to crack the 7-figure mark in business Hiring for fit over hiring for skill How she went from barista to consultant overnight Connect with Crista: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/ https://criscara.com/ The Lean Out Your Business Podcast

Libby shares a conversation with communications expert, author, Meredith Bell on creating successful business partnerships. Meredith is the co-founder and President of Performance Support Systems, a global software company providing assessment and development tools for the workplace. Their award-winning software and books guide leaders and team members to make the shift from KNOWING to DOING and the result is permanent improvements in the way people interact with each other at work.  Libby and Meredith discuss: The story of Performance Support Systems and how it came to be The importance of shared vision and values Why a business should value relationships over transactions Creating safe and honest structures within the workplace Mastering communication skills and the foundation Why listening is more than just sitting in silence Expression appreciation Meredith is an expert in leader and team communications, the author of two books, and host of the popular Strong for Performance podcast.   Connect with Meredith: https://GrowStrongLeaders.com  https://growstrongleaders.com/free/ https://growstrongleaders.com/podcasts/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithmbell https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Yqt-i8ehRSj5pEb1VEgSA    Meredith's Books Connect with Your Team: Mastering the Top 10 Communication Skills Strong for Performance: Create a Coaching Culture with Learning & Development Programs That Stick

This week Libby is joined by worldwide authority on business and entrepreneurship, Carl Gould. Carl built three multi-million-dollar businesses by the age of 40 and has created the farthest-reaching business mentoring organization in the world. His methodologies are practiced in 35 countries and he has trained, certified or accredited over 7,000 Business Coaches and Mentors since 2002. Through trial and error Carl learned the key aspects to creating success in business and teaches other entrepreneurs how to reach their objectives.     Libby and Carl discuss:  Why Carl became involved in the coaching and consulting business How to build your own ‘fandom' to attract your ideal clients and customers The best way to gain a surplus of ideal client leads in your business  The most common problems Carl sees within the businesses he consults on Carl's ‘Fix It In Five' problem-solving ability Why female entrepreneurs should embrace their feminine energy in business What it means to ‘Quit and Get Rich'   Through his company, 7 State Advisors, Carl has worked with companies like Allstate, American Idol, USA Olympic Track, IBM, McGraw-Hill and the US Army. He has also written numerous books on the subject of business strategy, leadership and sustainable growth. He has written and co-authored several books including “Blueprint for Success” with Stephen R. Covey and Ken Blanchard; and his best-selling book, “The 7 Stages of Small Business Success,” and Amazon #1 Best Seller, ‘Biz Dev Done Right.”   Resources Mentioned: Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant: Guide to Financial Freedom by Robert Kiyosaki Listen to the Quit & Get Rich Podcast   Connect with Carl: http://carlgould.com/ https://carlgould.com/7stagegrowthacademy/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlgould https://carlgould.com/books/

This week Libby is joined by Susan Schmitt Winchester. Susan is the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Applied Materials, a Fortune 200 company, and its more than 24,000 global employees. She has more than 30 years of experience in HR providing executive leadership, most recently at Rockwell Automation and the Kellogg Company.  But her path was not always easy. For many years Susan dealt with a strong case of “people pleasing” and perfectionism that she now realizes was part of an old script from her childhood replaying as she entered the workforce. Once she realized this, she took action to eliminate those old stories and now helps others find the ability to live more joyful lives. Libby and Susan discuss: The conscious healing path vs. the unconscious wounding path Understanding our own triggers How to release people-pleasing mentalities Finding self-responsibility and self-acceptance “Bumper car moments” in the workplace Workplace conflicts Her new book, Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future Susan continually looks to meet today's global business challenges with creative HR strategies that engage people, support a dynamic, inclusive corporate culture, and enable exceptional performance. Her passion is teaching and inspiring executives, leaders and professionals in how to succeed by discovering greater self-acceptance, fulfillment and joy at work and in life.   Connect with Susan: https://www.susanjschmitt.com/ Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve Kindle Edition by Susan Schmitt Winchester & Martha I. Finney

Libby speaks with wealth advisor Linda Cao about the many ways women can build wealth. Linda is the President of Silver Oak Wealth Advisors which has been providing clients with comprehensive wealth management services since 2005. In her role as advisor, Linda works closely with each client to develop a customized financial plan centered on their core values. Linda consults on wealth protection, wealth enhancement, and wealth transfer, and designs an investment portfolio that reflects each client's unique risk profile and financial needs.   In this episode, Libby and Linda discuss:  “Human capital” and how to maximize earning potential Negotiating like a man Common mistakes Linda sees women make with their finances Preparing for life's difficulties when it comes to finances (death, divorce, etc) Building financial resilience Ways to seek financial advice  The single most important factor that determines a successful retirement   In addition to her strong analytical skills and financial knowledge, Linda brings with her a deep and genuine interest in helping clients to achieve a balanced and fulfilled life with the resources they have. She strives to support and inspire her clients to make sound financial decisions by infusing their life dreams, goals, and purpose into their spending, investments, risk management, and estate plans. She is a licensed Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT®). She actively hosts Women's Circle to “change the conversation” about personal finance for women and participates in advisory communities to empower, educate, and engage women in the management of their personal finances. She also specializes in empowering widows to lean into life, build resilience and make a positive difference in the world. Connect with Linda: http://silveroakwa.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-cao-silveroak

Libby is joined by speaker and author, Carey Portell. After surviving being hit by an impaired driver, Carey has learned to thrive despite the pain and disabilities the accident has caused her.  Her ability to recognize that every day her choice in attitude will determine whether she succeeds or fails, has taught her to wake each day and ask the question,” What choice will you make?”    Libby and Carey discuss: How she transitioned her work after the accident How she stays focused and moving forward daily Finding purpose and accomplishment  Her entrepreneurial spirit (and all the exciting endeavors she's involved in) Why she chooses to only look forward  How she continues to break through her limitations   Carey is a professional speaker by circumstance and has inspired thousands to change their perspectives by sharing her triumphs and challenges of her four year recovery. She has become an expert of breaking through limitations and guides her audience on a journey of self growth.  Connect with Carey: Facing Life Head On: Healing with Courage, Gratitude, and Attitude by Carey Portell http://careyportell.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CPSTY/ https://www.instagram.com/cp_sty/

Libby is joined once again by friend and former colleague, Connie St. John. Connie is founder and president of No Weapon Productions, which specializes in change your life entertainment ™ for film, television, stage productions, and live events. As an award-winning writer/director, she has written and directed over 100 stage and screenplays that have been produced and screened all over the world. She also heads the St. John Consulting Group and the Game Changers Experience, which provide leadership, training and consulting services for business leaders and individuals all over the world.    This week, Libby and Connie discuss Diversity and Inclusion and share in topics like: Seeing black people as individuals Giving the benefit of the doubt Changing language in the context of racism When you should be asking yourself “would I say this about a white person?” Seeking to understand versus seeking to confirm stereotypes When to fight injustice with your wallet Different types of organizations when it comes to D&I   Through her companies, Connie and her team have developed a unique blend of entertainment and business strategies to enhance productivity, strengthen employee engagement, develop successful branding and communication campaigns, and create innovative solutions for corporations and entrepreneurs. Connie proudly serves on the Foundation board for the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where her son is an alum. She also serves on the board of the Women in Film & Video-DC organization, and is an advisory board member for NexxtOne Academy, a national nonprofit that prepares young people for careers in athletics, entertainment and fine arts. Based in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Connie is a frequently sought-after public speaker, workshop leader, and business consultant.   Connect with Connie: https://noweaponproductions.com/  https://stjohnconsultinggroup.com/ https://gamechangersexperience.com/ https://constantsthoughts.blogspot.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-st-john-stjohnconsultinggroup/ https://www.instagram.com/conniesaintjohn https://www.instagram.com/noweaponproductions      https://www.instagram.com/game_changers_experience

Libby is joined by Rabbi Yonason Goldson. Yonason is the director of Ethical Imperatives, LLC, where he works with leaders to create a culture of ethics that builds trust, sparks initiative, and drives productivity.  He's a keynote and TEDx speaker, trainer, coach, and community rabbi, as well as a podcast host, columnist and author, repentant hitchhiker, world traveler, and retired high school teacher in St. Louis. He's published hundreds of articles applying ancient rabbinic wisdom to the challenges of the modern secular world, and six books, most recently “Grappling with the Gray: an ethical handbook for personal success and business prosperity.”     Libby and Yonason discuss: How and why he became a rabbi Why ethics are crucial to a successful business How becoming a rabbi taught him a lot about business Morality versus ethics Understanding rights and responsibilities The first recorded advice in history for a CEO Why Yonason goes out of his way to not invoke religion (and why you don't a religious foundation to implement ethical principles) Compliance being the enemy of ethics Why he's hopeful about the future of our world and ethics Connect with Yonason: https://www.yonasongoldson.com/ https://www.yonasongoldson.com/books https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonason-goldson/ https://www.youtube.com/c/yonasongoldson https://www.facebook.com/yonasongoldson/ https://twitter.com/yonasongoldson https://www.instagram.com/yonasongoldson/ https://www.tiktok.com/@yonasongoldson

Libby is joined by President & CEO of Aerostar Consulting Corporation Tammera L. Holmes. In 2016, Holmes launched her non-profit The AeroStar Avion Institute to begin opening doors for youth in a career field that for most is still very foreign. Her focus is to get more youth, African Americans, females, and other underserved and under-represented populations interested in STEM careers, particularly in the Aerospace industry. Her goal is to promote access to jobs in Aviation and Aerospace. She is an upstanding role-model and leader within the United States and the Aviation community. Her AeroStar programs are literally giving "Wings to Dreams.   Libby and Tammera discuss: How Tammera got her start in the aviation industry The false sense of security that academia has created How AeroStar is helping the industry Why she is a huge advocate for serving children and under-represented populations How she maintains a sense of balance between being a leader in the aviation industry, a parent, a wife, and more Why you should be taking inventory on where you're putting your time, talent, and treasure   Growing up in a crime-ridden west suburb of Chicago, Tammera understands the impact the current climate in Chicago has on young peoples' ability to expect greatness beyond what they see. Tammera was named a National Afterschool Ambassador with the Afterschool Alliance based in Washington, D.C. She was inducted in the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame receiving the "Spirit of Flight" award for her work. She's also received The Bessie Coleman Aviation Award from the Chicago Defender Charities as well as congressional recognition as an outstanding community partner from Representative Danny Davis amongst several other accolades.   Connect with Tammera: https://avioninstitute.org/team/tammera-l-holmes/ https://www.instagram.com/tammerainspires/ https://www.instagram.com/aerostaravion/

Libby speaks with Greg Brenner, also known as The HR Dad. Greg loves all things “people in the workplace,” which is why after years of working in operations and being a business owner, he wanted to become a Human Resources Executive. He also loves his biggest and most fulfilling role, Dad. Through humor and wisdom, Greg helps others gain a completely new insight into the career adventure of their lives by helping them see how their work and their personal lives intersect to bring out their greatness in both realms.   Libby and Greg discuss: Soft skills versus hard skills Female leadership and where it starts Taking lessons from leadership and bringing them into the home and vice versa Managing expectations in order to be set up for success Behaviors that define leadership What Greg suspects will change with leadership in the coming years   Greg is the podcast host of EVERYDAY PEOPLE, a keynote speaker, a Marshall Goldsmith Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach as well as a master's trained executive coach, plus the author of the Smack Dab in the Middle of Life series. Connect with Greg: https://thehrdad.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbrenner/ https://www.instagram.com/thehrdad/

Libby is joined by private Executive Speech Coach, Laura Bresee. When your job requires frequent public speaking with little or no time to prepare, your vocal confidence and professional credibility are at stake.  Lack of preparation and practice delivering your subject matter will undoubtedly result in visible symptoms of speech anxiety.  Laura is passionate about coaching Voice Mechanics strategies to busy professionals to ensure their spoken communication remains effective when speaking under pressure.    Libby and Laura discuss:  Speech analysis Understanding that every speech is different and how to prepare for different situations The performance aspect of public speaking The importance of vocal warm-ups Speech anxiety and how to combat it Tips for finding confidence when it comes to speaking   Laura is the Principal Owner of Memphis Speech Solutions and is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association.  She approaches voice coaching with a holistic perspective using mind-body techniques from internationally acclaimed Heather Lyle Vocal Yoga and Fitzmaurice Voicework methods.    Connect with Laura: https://memphisspeech.com/ www.linkedin.com/pub/laura-bresee/ https://www.instagram.com/laurabresee_slp/ https://www.facebook.com/memphisspeechsolutions https://twitter.com/memphisspeech

In this episode Libby is joined by a few girlfriends, Chiquita Jones and Connie St. John to discuss the Oscars! The chat about all the strong contenders, films they want to win, and all things in-depth Oscars. Libby, Chiquita, and Connie discuss why bleak movies often win Oscar Awards, their favorite 2020 films, some film history and fun facts about some 2020 Oscar films, and more!    View the complete nominations list for the 2021 Oscars Awards here!

Libby speaks with April Shprintz, the Founder of Driven Outcomes and creator of The Generosity Culture®. After spending 20 great years in a variety of industries solving problems, driving growth, and accelerating companies, April realized helping people is who she is, not just what she does.  April left corporate America after her highest earning 7-figure year to form her own company and expand her impact.    Libby and April discuss:  Fear of becoming obsolete How vulnerability leads to innovation and growth within the workplace Her experience on the front lines as a journalist for the Air Force The biggest impact that the military had on her and how it changed the trajectory of her career Why being liked isn't as important as being effective When obliviousness can be a gift Her upcoming book, Magic Blue Rocks   When April is not teaching companies how to “pour into” their people, their clients, and their community, she invests her time with various nonprofits helping children, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness. April lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with her shih tzu, Cowboy, who serves as the Chief Dog Officer of Driven Outcomes and makes cameos in her video productions.   Order Magic Blue Rocks: The Secret to Doing Anything by April Shprintz   Connect with April: https://drivenoutcomes.com/book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilshprintz/ https://www.facebook.com/thegenerosityculture http://twitter.com/aprilshprintz https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd3-7foc4_nVtub5Lb0LDkg https://www.instagram.com/aprilshprintz/ Clubhouse: @aprilshprintz april@drivenoutcomes.com

This week Libby is joined by Dr. Troy Hall, an award-winning culture strategist, radio show host, speaker, author, and talent retention expert. His doctorate in Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship has sent him across the globe to help leaders create cultures of cohesion and retain top talent in their organizations. As the author of the Best-Selling Title, Cohesion Culture: Proven Principles to Retain Your Top Talent, and co-author of Mission Matters: World's Leading Entrepreneurs Reveal Their Top Tips for Success, Dr. Troy was once told he did not have the talent to write. His mom, Fanny, reminded him, “It's not the successes or failures that shape your life, it's how you handle them.”   Libby & Dr. Troy discuss: Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it relates to retention The importance of giving your best as an employee and a leader Why companies often get it wrong when it comes to talent retention The number one attribute of an effective leader of cohesion Cultural superiority and ethnocentric thinking Direct, cooperative, and collaborative leadership styles The talent retention model found in his book Having the will to get the skill And being a connector   With more than 40 years of practical leadership experience and a Ph.D. in Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Dr. Troy's passion is helping others succeed. His consulting and executive coaching sessions have positively impacted organizational leaders around the globe on how to create cultures of cohesion to retain their top talent. From the U.S. to Canada and the United Kingdom, from the Middle East to Africa, Asia, and Australia, Dr. Troy has spoken at global conferences as a subject matter expert on the topics of culture & leadership, strategy, and change.   "You don't have to know everything, you just need to be teachable." - Dr. Troy   Connect with Dr. Troy Hall: https://drtroyhall.com/ https://www.facebook.com/drtroyhall  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtroyhall/ https://twitter.com/drtroyhall

Libby is joined by Kelly Charles Collins. Kelly is an Attorney, Author, Unconscious Bias Expert, CEO of Ladies Who Leverage, Author, and Podcast Host. Her contrasting personality and an awareness that minds make generalizations based on first impressions has led her to a career based on uprooting assumptions about people in order to make a difference.  Libby and Kelly discuss: Freedom papers, what they are, and how Kelly received hers  Why she created Ladies Who Leverage Networking Why Kelly wanted to be a TEDx Speaker Knowing, understanding, and leveraging your power How to have productive and courageous conversations How to perform a bad-assery audit After moving to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica at a young age, Kelly accelerated her education. She jumped ahead in her classes, graduated high school at 16, and immediately entered college at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned her A.S. in Fashion Merchandising and B.S. in Retail Marketing and Management. Connect with Kelly: http://kellycharlescollins.com/ https://twitter.com/hrlawattorney https://www.facebook.com/kellycharlescollins22 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycharlescollins/ https://www.instagram.com/kellycharlescollins/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2w0HIrS36RoKhiv5UEg6LpylicO1Iw4

Libby is joined by author, blogger and pie maker, Beth M. Howard. In 2001, at the height of the dot com boom, Beth quit a lucrative web producing job in San Francisco to bake “pies for the stars” at a gourmet deli in Malibu, California, which led to the launch of her popular blog, The World Needs More Pie. After the sudden death of her 43-year-old husband in 2009, she returned to her native Iowa to be a pie judge at the Iowa State Fair. An accidental fork in the road after the fair led to her becoming the resident of the iconic American Gothic House in Eldon, where she lived and ran the Pitchfork Pie Stand for four years. Beth has written several books including “Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Pie,” “Ms. American Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House” and “Hausfrau Honeymoon: Love, Language and Other Misadventures in Germany.”    Libby and Beth discuss: Beth's journey that took her from travel and adventure blogging to making pies How pies brought her out of the grief brought on by unexpected tragedy Providing a place of connection by bringing her pies to Sandy Hook, CT What it was like living in the American Gothic House for 4 years Listening to her intuition and following opportunity Why flexibility and determination are critical when it comes to traveling Immediate negative response Human connection And much more   Beth has written for The New York Times, Real Simple, Country Living and Guideposts, among many other publications, is a commentator for Tri-States Public Radio and has given a TEDx talk. Her story has garnered international media attention including CNN Anderson Cooper 360, CBS This Morning, BBC, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Huffington Post and more. She is currently writing a memoir titled “World Piece.”   Connect with Beth: www.theworldneedsmorepie.com

Libby is joined in the lab by Holly Gordon. Holly is the Chief Impact Officer at Participant, overseeing the company's social impact strategy and campaigns, furthering Participant's mission to create storytelling that inspires positive social change. These global, multi-year campaigns are driven by the company's content and powered by strategic partnerships to address the most important issues of our time.   Libby and Holly discuss: What exactly a Chief Impact Officer is The challenges and rewards Holly finds as a leader in life and business How Participant uses storytelling to drive change Understanding the strengths of men versus women The direct correlation between leadership and skill development Creating a culture of coaching instead of demanding and directing Why uncertainty can be harmful and ways to find a sense of certainty How to enrich your own leadership experience   Prior to joining Participant, Gordon co-founded Girl Rising, a global campaign for girls' education. Selected by Fast Company as a member of the League of Extraordinary Women and named by Newsweek/Daily Beast as one of 125 Women of Impact, Gordon is also an Executive Producer for the Girl Rising film at the center of the movement. Forbes Magazine named the Girl Rising campaign the #1 Most Dynamic Social Initiative of 2012. In 2015, Holly was selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar and currently serves on the boards of MAKERS and Girl Rising.   Connect with Holly on LinkedIn

Libby is joined by Amy Evans to discuss all things around creating meaningful connections. Amy  is an entrepreneur who is passionate about helping women step into their power and their agency in business and relationships. She is the founder of AlignWomen, a leadership and networking organization for professional women, and the host of The AlignWomen Podcast. She is also the President of Colibri Insurance Services, a boutique insurance agency that simplifies employee benefits for employers in Southern California. She also uses her expertise in the health insurance industry and the health insurance broker market to consult on a variety of projects.   Libby and Amy discuss: Cultivating the skill of listening (and other valuable skills to have) How to be a super connector  Her story in creating AlignWomen and her journey through entrepreneurship Amy's ‘Core 50' and ‘Interesting People' lists, how she uses them and why you should consider creating your own The big thing that connects being a leader and being a connector  How Amy has built her influence Blurring the lines of professional and personal and when it can be okay to do so   Amy is an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) and a regular speaker at insurance industry events. She is an enthusiastic social media user and you can find her engaging regularly on a variety of topics including legislative issues, agency management, entrepreneurship, social media strategies, women's empowerment, communication and relationships.   Connect with Amy: https://www.alignwomen.org/ https://www.facebook.com/alignwomen/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/alignwomen/ https://www.instagram.com/alignwomen/  

Imagine being at the height of your career - successful and sought after - and then suffer from a once in a million freak accident. Today's guest on Libby's Leadership Lab shares her story of exactly that along with her tips for resilience. Kathleen Klawitter is a speaker, author, resilience coach, and former LPGA Golf Pro. Kathleen shares all about:  Her suffering of a traumatic brain injury and what she did before rehab The benefits of learning to work from within (feeling versus thinking) The blessings that can happen in times of chaos Why she sees her TBI as an uplifting and positive adventure The magnificence and resiliency of the human brain Finding empowerment through her 5-step Dynamic meditation And more! During her journey to recovery and complete reinvention, Kathleen discovered tools and techniques that transformed her life physically, emotionally, and spiritually. With refreshing candor, Kathleen shares the strategies she used to reprogram her brain and re-envision her life. Even when faced with having to learn to read, write, and speak all over again, she looked at life with optimism and gratitude. Her empowering story illustrates the immense capacity of the human spirit and shows people that, with perseverance and an action plan, anyone can transform their life. Connect with Kathleen: https://www.kathleenklawitter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenklawitter/ DIRECT HIT: A Golf Pro's Remarkable Journey back from Traumatic Brain Injury by Kathleen Klawitter

Libby is joined by Randi Braun, certified executive coach, consultant, speaker, and founder of Something Major. Randi has coached leaders in Fortune 500 companies, financial services, real estate, legal services, as well as start-ups, non-profits, and trade associations. She has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and Parents Magazine, and speaks frequently on women's professional development, leadership, thriving as a working parent, and building meaningful professional relationships.    Randi and Libby discuss: What happened when Randi took a planned risk at the beginning of an unplanned pandemic The wage gap between working mothers and working fathers and why it's a real problem The amount of burnout she sees among the women she coaches and how she helps Randi's history of risk-taking and how she's become more comfortable with it The many crises that working women face in the U.S. A goal setting exercise that works!   Prior to founding Something Major, Randi was a fundraiser-turned-business-development leader. As a sales leader, Randi generated millions of dollars for a diverse portfolio of organizations including non-profits, publicly traded and privately held companies, and tech start-ups. She has trained teams in the US and the EU.  Randi completed her coach training at the internationally renowned Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) and is a Certified Member (ACC) of the International Coach Federation. Connect with Randi: https://www.somethingmajorcoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-braun-312a5423/ http://instagram.com/something_major_coaching

Libby discusses new ways to think about sales with sales educator and disrupter Jeremy Miner. As the head of 7th Level Communications, Jeremy has pioneered an internationally recognized sales training methodology that to date has helped more than 180,000 salespeople in 34 countries achieve exceptional results. He has led global sales forces, developed sales training, and been the top individual sales contributor at companies where he has exponentially increased revenues as a rule, rather than as an exception.   Libby and Jeremy go in-depth on: The science of pitching Why manipulative sales tactics no longer work The importance of continuing education when it comes to sales training Why asking the right questions is the key to closing the sales Letting go of the outcome while still understanding your strategy Human behavior and psychology and their relationship to sales   Jeremy is one of only three active sales trainers in the world with individual earnings as a W-2 salesperson of more than seven figures annually in his sales career.   He has consistently been ranked one of the top sales income earners internationally, including 45th in the top 150 earners among the 83 million active salespeople in the direct selling industry. Jeremy studied behavioral and organizational science at Utah Valley University, which was to play a foundational role in the career-long development of his Neuro-Emotional Persuasion Questioning sales methodology.   Connect with Jeremy: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.miner.52 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyleeminer/  https://www.instagram.com/jeremyleeminer/ https://www.youtube.com/JeremyMiner  https://www.facebook.com/groups/salesrevolutiongroup

Libby is joined by Edie Givens, Senior Vice President of People and Organization at Sony Pictures. Edie is an expert in all things human resources and has a passion for working with women. Edie started in the tech industry in the Silicon Valley before being recruited to work for Sony and takes great pride in the business transformations she has helped to implement at the studio.  In this episode Libby and Edie discuss: How not having a streaming platform allows Sony to focus on content development Edie's transition from tech to the entertainment industry  Edie's tips to help women in the workplace obtain leadership roles What it's like working with big named talent and the magic of working at Sony Moving towards a hybrid work-from-home model How to make your presence known What it means to ‘own it' If you're curious about what it takes to make it in the entertainment industry, be sure to listen to this episode for more resources and information!   Connect with Edie: https://www.sonypicturesjobs.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ediegivens/

Libby sits down with author of The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You, Mark Herschberg. From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia. He helped to start the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, dubbed MIT's “career success accelerator,” where he teaches annually.    Mark & Libby dive into: The business skills that aren't taught at universities How leadership, career plan, and interpersonal relationships are all necessary to success Mark's holistic approach to reaching career goals The big misses companies and people make when it comes to hiring The fundamentals of management Ethics and why it's often left out of business discussions Misconceptions around networking and Mark's tips around better networking A critical skill not traditionally emphasized in education or business, empathy The Goldberg paradigm, Mark's version of the Bechdel test and what they have to do with women in leadership The value in diversity (in organizations, when it comes to networking, and more)   At MIT, Mark received a B.S. in physics, a B.S. in electrical engineering & computer science, and a M.Eng. in electrical engineering & computer science, focusing on cryptography. At Harvard Business School, Mark helped create a platform used to teach finance at prominent business schools. He also works with many non-profits, including Techie Youth and Plant A Million Corals. He was one of the top-ranked ballroom dancers in the country and now lives in New York City, where he is known for his social gatherings, including his annual Halloween party, as well as his diverse cufflink collection.   Connect with Mark: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com https://twitter.com/CareerToolkitBk https://www.instagram.com/thecareertoolkit/ https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerToolkitBook https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey/   The Career Toolkit App: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/app  

Libby is joined in the lab by expansive business strategist, Perry Marshall. Perry's journey began when he got laid off from his job as an engineer. While his wife was three months pregnant with their first child, he decided to take a job in sales with the thought that it would be easy. It proved to be a vicious trip through the school of hard knocks. Cold calling, knocking on doors, skinny commission checks, and badgering people who didn't want to see him. Two years later Perry discovered the art and science of Direct Marketing. Once he learned to position himself as an expert he never had to beg again. Perry has guided clients like FanDuel and InfusionSoft from startup to hundreds of millions of dollars and his firm has helped tens of thousands of small companies become big companies by applying advanced 80/20 to online advertising. Libby & Perry discuss: Direct Marketing (how it's changed and how it's stayed the same over the last 30 years) Perry's seven steps to excelling by way of eliminating Why the moat is more important than the castle What it means to earn $1000/hour at least one hour per day A unique way to think about time when it comes to business How a roofing company managed to get 300 reviews and 4.8 star average review Why entrepreneurs need to be just as intensely stimulated and engaged in their recreational time as their working time Perry has consulted in over 300 industries, has a degree in electrical engineering, and lives in Chicago. Connect with Perry: https://www.perrymarshall.com https://www.facebook.com/perrymarshallcom https://twitter.com/perrymarshall Detox, Declutter, Dominate: How to Excel by Elimination

Libby speaks with “Selling in a Skirt” expert Judy Hoberman, who is president of Judy Hoberman and Associates, a company focused on empowering professional women.  Among her many skills, Judy  is an international speaker, trainer, executive coach, author, radio show host and mentor. Her 30 years in business have given her both knowledge and a sense of humor about how men and women lead, sell, manage and recruit differently. Her experience in sales and leadership has helped her clients realize the importance of building relationships, standing out and being the authority in their market. They discuss:  How Judy came up with Selling in a Skirt What S.K.I.R.T. is an acronym for (hint: it's not about the article of clothing) The type of people Judy enjoys working with The importance of ‘knowing your people' Best and worst advice she received throughout her sales career Why having a structure to your day is key to establishing boundaries Her best advice for building relationships and closing sales How understanding your personality traits can benefit your business Judy's experience includes over two decades in life and health insurance beginning as an agent with no experience and progressing to leading three agencies across three states with over 100 agents.  She still holds her license and co-facilitates Medicare educational seminars.  She also works with companies supporting their diversity and women's initiatives in the areas of leadership, recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring and retention. She engages her audiences, from 10 to 10,000, with memorable stories and ideas that are easily implemented that same day. In 2016 she was a TEDx speaker talking about pre-judging people.  She is the author of four books, including “Selling in a Skirt” and “Walking on the Glass Floor.” She offers a training program that concentrates on women in leadership and the men who champion them, with an emphasis on redefining culture.  Judy's mission is to help women - and men - understand the philosophy: "Women want to be treated equally...not identically."™  Connect with Judy: http://www.sellinginaskirt.com/ https://walkingontheglassfloor.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyhoberman/ https://www.facebook.com/sellinginaskirt/ https://twitter.com/SellingInASkirt https://www.instagram.com/sellinginaskirt/

Libby is joined by Lisa Fain to discuss all things mentorship. Lisa began her career as an attorney before entering the world of diversity, inclusion and mentoring. She has conducted mentoring training programs for corporate, government and educational institutions.  Lisa coaches mentors, mentees, and program administrators on how to achieve mentoring excellence and create the right environment for achievement of career and personal goals.  She is highly regarded for her special combination of expertise, humor and no-nonsense approach. Lisa discusses the following with Libby: Four phases of effective mentoring Three functions of a mentoring relationship Questions to ask yourself when looking for a mentor Setting expectations and checking assumptions when you find a mentor Formal versus informal mentorship Structuring the mentor/mentee relationship The benefits of mentoring for the mentor Common misconceptions about mentorship Lisa holds a B.S. in Social Policy from Northwestern University and a JD degree from Northwestern University School of Law. She is a life coach and has completed her certification from the International Coach Academy. A native of Syracuse, NY, Lisa spent 17 years in Chicago and moved to Seattle, WA in 2014 with her husband and two daughters. She now spends as much time as she can hiking and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.   Connect with Lisa: http://centerformentoring.com/ Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring by Lisa Z. Fain & Dr. Lois J. Zachary

Founder of WorkMarket (acquired by ADP), Jeff Wald joins the Leadership Lab to talk about the future of the workplace and his book, The End of Jobs. WorkMarket is an enterprise software platform that enables companies to manage freelancers. Jeff also founded Spinback, a social sharing platform (purchased by salesforce.com). Jeff began his career in finance, serving as managing director at activist investment firm Barington Capital Group,  vice president at private equity investment firm GlenRock, and various roles in the M&A Group at JP Morgan.  Jeff shares: Why life-longing learning and adaptability are critical to our success What data and history tells us about the future of work The importance of a fluid, team-based, ‘always on' job mentality Why you must be either “hard human or hard tech” Why you shouldn't let anyone outwork you The silver-lining of the COVID workplace and how working women will ultimately benefit Tips on creating self-serving routines and hacks that lead to productivity and happiness Jeff is an active angel investor and startup advisor, as well as serving on numerous public and private boards.  He formerly served as an officer in the Auxiliary Unit of the New York Police Department.  Jeff is the author of The Birthday Rules and the Amazon Bestseller The End of Jobs: The Rise of On-Demand Workers and Agile Corporations. Jeff frequently speaks at conferences and in the media on startups and labor issues.    Connect with Jeff: The End of Jobs: The Rise of On-Demand Workers and Agile Corporations by Jeff Wald https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwald/ https://twitter.com/JeffreyWald

Libby is joined by Divya Parekh. Divya has over 20 years of rich and varied experience, including roles as a business positioning coach, influence advisor, speaker, and author. Her professional career includes positions as a university associate professor, scientist, biotechnology professional, and as a global business relationship and leadership coach. She merges her biopharmaceutical career with her extensive experience as a coach, author, consultant, and speaker. Her passion for coaching and the sincere desire to make a positive impact on people has led her to develop effective evidence-based leadership and partnership programs: Divya shares: What a great leadership truly is Relevant takeaways regarding influence from working with clients  Her book, Expert to Influencer Differences in communication and leadership styles Why leaders live by example How body language plays a role in influencing Understanding how you're showing up in different situations Actionable steps to becoming the person you want to be and a leader/ influencer Connect with Divya: https://www.divyaparekh.com/ Expert To Influencer: How To Position Yourself For Meaningful Impact by Divya Parekh

Systems specialist for Chiquita Jones joins the lab to discuss how to make the “holidaze” peaceful and enjoyable, instead of a crazed rush to get everything at work and home done to perfection. Chiquita shares what she's learned working in human resources, training and development, sales operations, and as an entrepreneur over the years. An expert on building sustainable systems, she starts with advice on how to put the right people in the right seats.   Chiquita and Libby talk all about alleviating holiday stress, including: How we can feel comforted throughout the holidays, even if we're unable to be with family Why women, especially, need to be mindful of delegating both at work and home  Ways to bring joy back to the holidays, despite a very tough year Dropping stress and overwhelm during a season of celebration Favorite holiday movies and books to read (See Libby's Fiction List below) The importance of adding “reflection” to your evening routine   Chiquita loves the travels of life, with music (her passion) as her soundtrack. Sometimes those travels take her abroad (another passion), sometimes they are the journey of personal growth and service. All of which bring her joy. Connect with Chiquita: https://www.chiquitajonesvirtual.com/ chiquita@chiquitajonesvirtual.com   Libby's Book List: All Adults Here - Emma Straub American Dirt - Jeanine Cummins Dear Edward - Ann Napolitan Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell (my fav of the year!) La Rose - Louise Erdrich Monogamy - Sue Miller Night Tiger - Yangzee Choo Nothing to See Here - Kevin Wilson Such a Fun Age - Kiley Reid The Assistants - Camille Perri The Glass Hotel - Emily St. John Mandel The Henna Artist - Alka Joshi The Pull of the Stars - Emma Donoghue The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennett The World We Knew - Alice Hoffman

Meridith Elliott Powell joins the leadership lab to talk thriving in uncertainty. Meridith Elliott  Powell is an award-winning author, keynote speaker and business strategist. With a background  in corporate sales and leadership, her career expands over several industries including banking,  healthcare and finance. She is Certified Speaking Professional, a designation held by less than  twelve percent of professional speakers, and a member of the prestigious Forbes Coaching  Council. Meredith shares her favorite stories of thriving in uncertainty and how you can take the steps to thrive yourself. We discuss: The interesting story of Procter & Gamble from branding to staying relevant and listening to your customers How Jim Beam survived prohibition and staying firm and confident in his vision Holding relentless vision, conditioning for change, and decision making in an uncertain marketplace Knowing & Understanding Core Values Turning uncertainty into opportunity Steps you can take today to start thriving in business High energy and highly interactive, Meridith's keynote helps leaders and business owners  learn the new rules of success today. Meridith shows her audiences how to  attract more business, retain top talent, and leap into position to win in this new economy. No  walking on coals, no breaking boards, just real-life strategies you can put into place first thing  Monday morning.    Connect with Meredith: https://meridithelliottpowell.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MeridithElliotPowell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/meridithelliottpowell/ https://twitter.com/meridithpowell https://www.youtube.com/user/meridithepowell https://www.instagram.com/powellmeridithelliott/

Libby hits the leadership lab with Tresha Moreland, a 30-year HR expert and futurist. Tresha keeps one foot in the corporate world while the other is in the entrepreneurial space as she works with business leaders to develop workplace strategies that achieve best-in-class results.  She has held key human resource leadership roles in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and healthcare and is the founder and principal consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC. HR C-Suite is a results-based HR strategy resource dedicated to connecting HR with business results.  Tresha & Libby discuss:  How to recruit and retain talent Virtual recruiting and making sure your virtual presence is up to par Burnout in healthcare and how it's even more emergent now Tresha's upcoming book; Navigating the Healthcare Workforce Shortage Culture shaping The opportunity that employees currently have to reinvent themselves The call of the NOW How and Why Tresha created HR C-Suite Tresha has a master's degree in both human resource management (MS) and business administration (MBA). She has also earned a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP) Certification and is recognized as a Fellow with the American College Healthcare Executives with a FACHE designation.  Connect with Tresha: www.hrcsuite.com https://www.facebook.com/hrcsuite/

In the Leadership Lab, Libby is joined by Jason Cutter. Jason is the founder and CEO of Cutter Consulting Group which brings a refined consultative sales formula that leads to a high conversion percentage, raving fan clients, and a steady stream of referrals to B2C clients. Cutter Consulting Group works as a resource to help companies optimize where available, develop what's needed, and build a playbook that can be used in a single office or multiple locations.   Jason shares all about:  His career history: from a degree in Marine Biology to working in Tech before starting his own company How he figured out what he DIDN'T want to do in life The best leadership and career advice he's ever received (hint: The 5 Year Rule) What authentic persuasion is and his new book, Selling with Authentic Persuasion How the Five Love Languages can help us in making sales Why women can actually have a little bit of a leg up on men when it comes to selling And some other great nuggets of wisdom! Jason's analytical mind is always looking for ways to solve problems or make situations better. He is all about taking action, not just talking about theoretical plans. Those who have worked with him describe him as passionate, intense, and driven and his philosophy can best be summed up in this quote from Zig Ziglar, “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”   Action Step from Jason: Don't treat everyone like you want to be treated but like THEY want to be treated and they will follow you wherever you go. In other words, don't speak to everyone the same way but try to understand them and serve them in the way they prefer to be served. And read The Five Love Languages.   Connect with Jason:  Selling with Authentic Persuasion: Transform from Order Taker to Quota Breaker http://jasoncutter.com/ https://www.cutterconsultinggroup.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jascut Authentic Persuasion Show Podcast

Catherine Carr joins Libby in the Leadership Lab to share her story of how a seemingly average Saturday afternoon led to an interview with Doctors Without Borders and ultimately led her to pack up her 20 years of professional experience, her MBA and HR certifications, and leave her old life in a storage unit. Catherine & Libby discuss: How and why Catherine decided to apply for Doctors Without Borders The lengthy interview process How women often self-select themselves out of moving up the organizational growth chart due to the assumption they aren't fit, capable, or worthy  How much Catherine has gained by offering herself in service to others Crossing not only borders but also cultures, traditions, and paradigms while working and living with multi-cultural teams Navigating the line between work and humanity, balancing expectations with compassion, and managing the rift between productivity and burnout. And much more Over the years Catherine has learned: Morning tea solves afternoon problems. Helping one another is an instinctive response around the world. To fully engage, our walls must fall. The importance of never losing sight of normal. And sometimes, communication means saying nothing at all.   Prior to working in the field, Catherine held a variety of positions, all of which prepared her for the range of responsibilities she would hold as a humanitarian.  Dance instructor, administrator, temp worker, recruiter, bartender, start-up, freelancer, recruiter, and human resources professional.      Catherine's Action Step: Make an effort to get uncomfortable - try a different restaurant, take a different route home, it doesn't have to be major but taking these small seemingly uncomfortable baby steps will set you up for larger tasks that will cross your path that may be uncomfortable. Secondly, take a break and take notice in the little moments of joy because those are the things that matter.   Connect with Catherine:  Catherinecarr.global

Libby speaks with Eileen McDargh about resilience and why it may not be exactly what you think it is. Eileen is the Founder and CEO of The Resiliency Group and author of several books, including Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What Matters. In addition to discussing burnout in the workplace, she addresses several ways to rebuild your resilience muscle and how to control the controllable.   Eileen shares:  The importance and necessity of self-leadership What true leadership is and how you act with your sphere of influence How her book helps you go through the process of burnout to breakout  What preemptive resilience is and why we need it The specific case studies she performed on burnout Ways to create connections that give you energy And so much more   Eileen's Action Step: To invent your future, try reverse goal setting by writing down what you DON'T want in order to figure out what you do want and build the foundational steps to get there. To build resilience, have a journal and write down three things you're thankful for everyday as well as once a month, do something you've never done before - it doesn't need to be earth shattering - anything that will force you to step out of your comfort zone a bit (plan a day for this and make it the same date of the month, every month)   Connect with Eileen:  https://www.eileenmcdargh.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenmcdargh/ https://www.facebook.com/speakereileen/ Book a discovery call with Libby at https://libbygill.com/#contact

Welcome to Libby's Leadership Lab. I'm Libby Gill and I'm here to help you level up your leadership skills so you can create the professional life you really want without sacrificing your personal life. I've been guiding women executives and entrepreneurs for more than 30 years, first as a C-Suite corporate exec running communications at three major Hollywood studios and now as a business owner with my own executive coaching and consulting company. So let's get started, it's time to invent your future.